Tx! MAG #32

this edition...

HEP C & HEP B

HEY!

TAKE our survey AND YOU and/or COULD ENTER our comp

edition

32

JUNE 2019

WIN $100

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR! Hey Tx!-ians!

Welcome to Tx! Mag #32! This edition has some stories about stigma and discrimination, an issue that is unfortunately all too common for many people living with viral hepatitis.

As we should all know, hepatitis C is passed on through direct blood-toblood contact. Hep B is passed on the same way but also through sexual fluids. Many people are not aware of those facts, and even when they are they ignore it anyway. The end result of that ignorance is often needlessly to treat people living with viral hepatitis as outcasts and "unclean".

The stories in this edition are drawn from real life and also, in part, from the research of the Social Policy Research Centre, University of NSW. Professor Carla Treloar spoke on this important subject at last year's Audrey Lamb Community Forum.

Kara's Story looks at hep C and discrimination in a medical setting, while Jack's Story is about hep B and feelings of stigma within personal relationships.

If you've been discriminated against because of your hep B/ hep C status there are contact numbers on page 21.

There are also crosswords, a word puzzle, find-a-word and sudokus in this edition. Check out our survey and the competition for your chance to win a $100 gift voucher by entering.

EDITOR/DESIGNER Grace Crowley EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Tim Baxter Ben Cork Paul Harvey Maria McMahon Sonam Paljor Lucy Pepolim Kate Pinnock Rhea Shortus Thomas Wright SPECIAL THANKS Kyle Leadbeatter Naomi Hatchman STORY WRITERS Charlie Foster (Kara's Story) Lawrence Gergich (Jack's Story) COMIC ARTISTS Jake Bartok (Kara's Story) Emily K. Smith (Jack's Story) CONSULTANTS gestaltcomics.com

Hope you enjoy Tx! MAG #32!

Cheers!

Grace Tx! Mag Ed Aside from Hepatitis NSW editorial content, views expressed in this magazine or flyers enclosed with it are not necessarily those of Hepatitis NSW or the organisations with whom we collaborate.

Neither are such views necessarily those of our funding bodies.

Tx! Mag does not promote or condone the use of illicit drugs.

Rather, it seeks to provide accurate information that will help people who already use drugs to reduce risks and make safer choices. Nothing in this magazine should be taken as recommending drug use.

Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters.

Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 (freecall)

p: 02 9332 1853 e: info@hep.org.au w: hep.org.au fb: facebook.com/HepNSW tw: @HepatitisNSW PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300 ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.

HEP C

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THE LATEST HEP C TREATMENTS TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR, NURSE OR CLINIC ABOUT THE NEW HEP C CURES SOFOSBUVIR & VELPATASVIR

=

GLECAPREVIR & PIBRENTASVIR

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SOFOSBUVIR & LEDIPASVIR

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GRAZOPREVIR & ELBASVIR

EPCLUSA

MAVIRET

HARVONI

ZEPATIER

FOR

FOR

FOR GENOTYPES

ALL

ALL

FOR GENOTYPE

GENOTYPES (1 TO 6)

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1& 4

95%

95%

95%

95%

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8 OR 12

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GENOTYPES (1 TO 6)

OF PEOPLE CURED

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS LAST UPDATED AUGUST 2018

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WEEKS*

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS*

OF PEOPLE CURED

WEEKS*

WHO ARE THEY FOR? ADULTS WHO HAVE HEP C AND A MEDICARE CARD MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO OR VERY MILD SIDE-EFFECTS FOR A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE, TREATMENT MAY LAST LONGER THE 5% OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CURED WITH THE ABOVE ARE TYPICALLY OFFERED ANOTHER TREATMENT, VOSEVI.

*

IMPORTANT: TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CURED, YOU NEED TO GET A PCR BLOOD TEST AT LEAST 12 WEEKS AFTER YOU FINISH YOUR TREATMENT.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Call our Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 or look up our website hep.org.au FREE CALL FROM PRISON n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

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HEP C CAN BE TREATED IN PRISON. SPEAK TO THE NURSE ABOUT TESTING AND CURE.

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TX! survey

ENTER THE DRAW TO WIN A $100 VOUCHER!*

IT'S EASY!

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TX! survey

FILL THISOU Y U O T AND IN A W D L COU GIFT $100 ER VOUCH

1. Reading this Tx! Mag was useful to me...

2. After reading this Tx! Mag, I know more about hepatitis treatment...

3. Reading Tx! Mag made me think about... (tick all that apply)

!

IT'S EASY

PLEASE ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS...

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

Agree

Neither

Disagree

Strongly disagree

calling the Hepatitis Infoline going to the Hepatitis NSW website talking to someone about support services

4. What is your current postcode (or prison name)?

talking to someone else about hepatitis it hasn't made me think about doing anything other (please let us know)

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS...

5. How could we make Tx! Mag better?

To enter the draw for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address or prison MIN (optional).

This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one draw per person.

Name: Phone:

6. How old are you?

7. Please describe yourself: (tick as many as you like) person with hep C/cured of hep C person with hep B current prisoner Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Email: MIN :

Congratulations to Crystal A. who won a $100 from Tx! Mag #31.

And thank you to the more than 100 people who sent in their feedback over the last six weeks we greatly appreciate your input.

someone who doesn't usually speak English at home other (please let us know)

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Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info. For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

HEP B

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HEPATITIS INFO, SUPPORT, REFERRAL ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HEP B OR HEP C?

1800 803 990 Telephone interpreter service: 131 450 Chat to us live: hep.org.au FREE CALL FROM PRISON n Enter MIN n Enter PIN n Press 2 for Common Calls list n Press 3 for Hepatitis Infoline

Discrimination & Hepatitis?

LEGAL ADVICE

HALC Legal Centre website: halc.org.au phone: 02 9206 2060 (Sydney & NSW) NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre phone: 02 9310 7722 (Sydney) toll-free: 1800 800 708 (NSW)

GENERAL ADVICE

Hepatitis NSW Infoline toll-free: 1800 803 990 (Sydney & NSW)

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HEP B TESTING FOR ADULTS

ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO TEST IF YOU HAVE HEP B OR ARE IMMUNE

HEP B TEST RESULTS WILL TELL YOU IF YOU HAVE...

A CURRENT INFECTION - YOU HAVE HEP B RIGHT NOW.

2ND HEP B TEST (6 MONTHS LATER) TAKE THE TEST AGAIN TO SEE IF YOU STILL HAVE HEP B (IF YOU HAVE HEP B LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS IT MEANS YOUR BODY CAN’T FIGHT IT OFF).

CHRONIC HEP B YOU HAVE HAD HEP B FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. THIS MEANS YOU WILL HAVE HEP B FOR LIFE.*

RESOLVED HEP B INFECTION YOU HAD HEP B BUT YOUR BODY FOUGHT IT OFF. YOU CAN’T GET HEP B AGAIN.

CHECK-UPS EVERY 6 MONTHS YOUR SEXUAL PARTNERS OR FAMILY MIGHT HAVE HEP B TOO. TALK TO THEM ABOUT GETTING TESTED.

YOUR SEXUAL PARTNERS OR FAMILY MIGHT HAVE HEP B TOO. TALK TO THEM ABOUT GETTING TESTED.

IMMUNITY (VACCINATION) YOU HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND ARE IMMUNE TO HEP B. YOU CAN’T GET HEP B.

IMMUNITY (PAST INFECTION) YOU ARE IMMUNE TO HEP B. YOU HAD HEP B IN THE PAST, BUT YOUR BODY FOUGHT IT OFF. YOU CAN’T GET HEP B AGAIN.

NO IMMUNITY YOU DON’T HAVE HEP B, BUT YOU COULD STILL GET IT.

NO ACTION NEEDED YOU ARE PROTECTED AGAINST HEP B AND CAN’T GET IT.

YOUR FAMILY MIGHT HAVE HEP B TOO. TALK TO THEM ABOUT GETTING TESTED.

GET VACCINATED FOR HEP B ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR NURSE, COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC, SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC, TRAVEL CLINIC OR AMS ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED.

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MONTHS

PRODUCED MAY 2018

*IF YOU HAVE HEP B FOR LIFE People with hep B can live long, healthy lives. To make sure you stay as healthy as you can, it is important that you have check-ups with your doctor every 6-12 months. At your check-up, your doctor will do a blood test and sometimes a liver scan. Check-ups help your doctor make sure your liver is healthy and work out if you should be on treatment. They will also talk to you about what you can do to help keep your liver healthy. CALL 1800 803 990 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Tx! COMPETITION ANSWER FOUR EASY QUESTIONS TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING A $100 VOUCHER!*

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Tx! COMPETITION ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS...

All you have to do to win is answer these four questions correctly, just tick the right box! We'll choose one entry at random and the first one with all answers right will be the winner!

1. Can you pass on hep B through blood-to-blood contact and/or unprotected sex? [JACK'S STORY] Yes, these are ways to pass on hepatitis B. Um... nah?

Don't know... I have to read Jack's Story...

Sleepy 2. Are there new effective cure available to treat hepatitis C? [KARA'S STORY] You bet! 95% cure rate, usually minimal or no side-effects, and 2 or 3 months treatment.

Um... nooooo?

Don't know... I have to read Kara's Story...

Sneezy 3. Can you pass on hep B through kissing, touching, sharing drinks? [JACK'S STORY] No. Blood-to-blood contact and/or unprotected sex is the only way.

Um... maybe?

Don't know... I have to read Jack's Story...

Grumpy 4. Medical, dental and clinical settings should use the same proper controls for everyone, no matter what their status... [KARA'S STORY] 100%... all the time, every time.

Nah... why?

Don't know... I have to read Kara's Story...

Dopey

TELL US YOUR DEETS...

To enter the competition for the $100 voucher, please give us your name and phone number, email address and postcode (if you're in prison, tell us your prison and MIN). This prize offer is for NSW residents only - one entry per person.

Name: Phone: Email: Postcode (or prison name): MIN :

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DEADLINE: Oct 15, 2019 We'll contact the winner and announce their name in the next issue.

Hepatitis NSW respects your right to privacy. We have a policy and set of procedures on how we collect, use, disclose and hold your personal info.

For a copy of the policy, please contact us on 02 9332 1853 or visit hep.org.au

Congrats to Kelly S. who was the lucky winner from last edition's competition draw!

FIND-A-WORD! E P I Z Z A X B E D R O O M G

D E S I N U M M I S L D P A R

M T P O A Y N U T P H Y E T R D S E T W C E I S R E W E L F

H H C Y A G N E X C L C P S M

E S N E T I E S U O E R A O E

P E Y X I E M I A N B I R M D

A I P C E N T G L D R M E E I

T C R U N E N O S O A I D V C

I N E S T P I L U M T N B Q A

T A T E S E O O O W E A W C L

I F E Y C N P P I O D T O U N

S O N F X Y P A R U M I E R X

M G D W Q Y A J E G Q O M E C

A D U L T S H T S I T N E D I

EASY AS SUDOKU 4 2

3

1

4 2

NUMBERS Each grid is partially completed with numbers. The goal is to fill the missing numbers into the grid - from 1 to 4. In each column, row and grid you can use each number only once.

Can you find all 24 of these words in the puzzle above?

The words might go up or down, left or right, forwards or backwards. The solution is below, but no peeking!

CELEBRATE PIZZA DENTIST APPOINTMENT PATIENTS HYGIENE MEDICAL CURED

DISCRIMINATION HEPATITIS APOLOGISED MEOW PANTHERS BEDROOM EXCUSE CONDOM

SEXUAL IMMUNISED FANCIES ADULTS PRETEND AWESOME SERIOUS PREPARED

SHAPES Each grid is partially completed with shapes - star, circle, square, triangle.

The goal is to fill the missing shapes.

In each column, row and grid you can use each shape only once.

OI! NO PEEKING!

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TX! MAG #31 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #30 [HEP C]

Personal stories Jake and Geena tell their own stories of living with, and being cured of, hep C. Addresses issues around efficiency of treatment and fear of side-effects.

Myths & Barriers This edition looks at reasons that people think might prevent them from starting hep C treatment... "too busy", "not sick enough", reinfection, "side-effects".

TX! MAG #29 [HEP B]

TX! MAG #28 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #27 [HEP C]

TX! MAG #26 [HEP B]

A Fine Line Morgan's tattoo comes with an extra surprise.

Not Again Blake wants his first hep C treatment to be his only.

Best Shot After 20 years with hep C, Lisa learns of new cures.

Livin' Doug takes on the challenges of life and hep C testing.

B is for Baby Kat discovers she has hep B, what does it mean for her and her unborn baby?

Double Trouble Ben is surprised to find out he has both hep C and hep B.

Can't "B" Happening Gina gets some surprise news from her ex-boyfriend.

One Step At A Time Mick has to deal with a flare up in his hep B.

CROSSWORD 1 TARGET W E E L B N G L I

How many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters here? In making a word, each letter may be used once only. Each word must contain the centre letter, and there must be at least one nine-letter word. No foreign words, no words with initial capitals and no hyphenated words.

ACROSS 1. A professional. (3) 3. Deep fry chips in this. (3) 5. Quick swim. (3) 6. Day before New Year. Day before Christmas. (3) 8. The very top, or end, of an object. (3) 10. Feeling of amazement and fear. (3) 12. The whole quantity. (3) 14. Woman's name. (3) 15. A floor covering. Or, you do yoga on one. (3) 16. Sound a dog makes. (3)

DOWN 1. Baked pastry dish (eg fruit, meat, veggies). (3) 2. Ye olde poem, often sung. (3) 3. Select. (3) 4. The top of your legs (when you sit down!) (3) 7. Oath, pledge, promise. (3) 9. Unwell. (3) 10. Point a camera at something for a picture. (3) 11. Consume. (3) 12. One, or some, of a number of things. (3) 13. Cut off. (3) Solution next page

What's your score?

3 Meh. But at least you tried!

6 Pretty good, eh?

10 Awesome 15 Holy crap! Mega genius!

20+ You are clearly a human dictionary and/or computer...we didn't even know half of those crazy words!

Answers next page

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A little bit harder...!

TARGET SOLUTION (red=more common) been, begin, beige, being, belie, bell, belle, belling, bile, bilge, bill, bine, binge, bingle, blew, gibe, glib, legible, libel, newbie, WELLBEING

OI! NO PEEKING!

E D RA I P E L A S D E Y G E E ON

CROSSWORD 2 SOLUTION

N S P L A S H

Solution at right (no peeking now!!)

CROSSWORD 1 SOLUTION

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C L I MB A N U P I L OT E E T S T E E M R C A LM R OX S TO P

1. Might be worn by a superhero! (4) 2. A vent for air. (5) 3. Used as a spread on bread or toast. (6) 4. A loose tap might do this. (4) 5. Caused by a belly flop! (6) 9. Clever. Well dressed. (5) 11. Observed. (4) 13. Used to clean floors (with a bucket of water). (3) 14. A liquid that colours clothes. (3) 16. On your marks, get set, __! (2)

P R O O I L I D I P A E V E T I P O L A W E A L L I A N N O M A T Y A P

1. Went up stairs, or a ladder. (7) 6. Style of modern music. (3) 7. They fly a plane! (5) 8. Most commonly found in a pod. (3) 9. Strong metal alloy. (5) 10. Left behind after burning paper, for example. (3) 12. Still; quiet; serene. (4) 15. We need to breathe it to live. (6) 17. HALT! (4) 18. Very long period of geological time. (3)

by Grace Crowley © 2019

FOR MORE INFO ON HEP C & HEP B CALL THE HEPATITIS INFOLINE: 1800 803 990